In form Colombia upset Uruguay to set up Copa America final with Argentina

Copa America, 

Thursday, 11 July, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

Colombia sealed their place in Sunday’s Copa América final after a first-half header from Jefferson Lerma earned them men a narrow 1-0 victory over Uruguay. 

Los Cafeteros, who played the entire second half with 10 men, are now unbeaten in an incredible 28 matches.

Having breezed past Panama in the quarter-finals, Colombia made a positive start against Marcelo Bielsa’s side, as right-back Daniel Munoz directed a good headed chance wide of the far post.

La Celeste gradually grew into the contest as the first half progressed, and it was the lively Darwin Nunez who came closest to a breakthrough, with the Liverpool striker twice missing the target when well-placed on the edge of the box.

The end-to-end nature of the match showed no signs of slowing down, and Colombia made their pressure count six minutes before the break when James Rodriguez’s inswinging corner was headed into the bottom corner by Lerma.

Los Cafeteros’ joy was short-lived, however, as Munoz received a second yellow card on the stroke of half time after thrusting a petulant elbow into the chest of Manuel Ugarte.

Armed with the numerical advantage, Uruguay looked to stamp their authority on the early stages of the second half, but clear-cut chances came at a premium as Jhon Córdoba threatened to double Colombia’s lead with a close-range header.

Desperate to find an attacking spark in the final third, Bielsa introduced La Celeste’s record goalscorer, Luis Suarez, with 25 minutes remaining, and the Inter Miami man came within inches of making an instant impact, firing against the post from Cristian Olivera’s cutback.

Encouraged by that near miss, Uruguay continued to probe for an equaliser with time ticking into the final 10 minutes.

However, Giorgian de Arrascaeta could only blaze their best opportunity over the bar late on as the resolute Colombian rearguard held firm under pressure to book their spot in Sunday’s showpiece against Argentina - a first Copa América final for Los Cafeteros since lifting the trophy in 2001.

As for Uruguay, they’ll be keen to end their tournament on a positive note when they face Canada in the third-place play-off.